Disability Benefits
Private Disability Insurance
Guide to Private Disability Insurance Claims
Get help filing a private, long-term disability claim with this guide from the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.
Social Security Benefits for People With Disabilities
Application Process
Frequently Asked Questions
- It will make sure that:
- You are not earning too much income from work.
- You have worked and paid enough Social Security taxes.
- Your MS symptoms or other conditions meet one or more of the disability criteria.
- 11.09 – Neurological – Adult – Multiple sclerosis, including motor problems that interfere with the ability to stand, balance, walk or use hands and fingers to complete tasks
- 2.00 – Special Senses and Speech, including abnormalities of the eye, optic nerve or optic tracts
- 12.00 – Mental Disorders, including mood and cognitive disorders
- Age, education and work experience
- Any other physical or mental medical conditions
- Limitations from MS symptoms
- Past work
- You can apply for Social Security disability benefits online, in person or on the phone. Consider how MS affects you when making the decision on how to apply.
- In person. Find the most convenient Social Security location. You will meet directly with SSA personnel and ask questions in real time. Be prepared to wait a few days for an appointment. To schedule one, call 1-800-772-1213.
- On the phone. Call 1-800-772-1213 or, for text telephone (TTY), 1-800-325-0778. You will have some contact with the local SSA office without having to travel.
- Online. The online application allows you to save your work and come back later to finish. You won't need to leave your home, but you might not be able to readily ask someone for guidance.
- Qualification for SSDI does not depend on the amount of money you have paid, but rather your work history in a Social Security-covered job and the Social Security (or FICA) taxes you have paid.The SSA classifies that history in work credits, and the number of credits you need depends on your age and when you became disabled. Generally, you need 20 in the past 10 years, ending with the year you become disabled. Younger workers may qualify with fewer credits.
- If you are working but not earning very much money, you might still qualify for disability benefits. In 2024, you cannot earn more than $1,550 per month in wages to qualify for SSDI (this amount is $2,590 for someone who is legally blind). Please remember that these amounts can vary from year to year.If you earn more than this maximum income, called substantial gainful activity (SGA), the SSA will deny your application. SGA applies only to income from work, not interest or investments.If you have not worked enough or recently enough to have the required insured status, you cannot receive SSDI benefits. But if you have limited income and assets, you might still be entitled to SSI.SSA has a variety of work incentive programs that can help you keep your cash benefits and Medicare while you test your ability to work. Based on your participation, you can earn additional income and continue to receive SSDI benefits.
- These processes can be lengthy — generally a minimum of 3 to 5 months. If your claim goes through the appeals process, it can take years.
- A friend, family member or caregiver can assist with any parts of your application, including:
- Accompanying you on visits to your doctors and SSA offices
- Answering questions
- Filling out worksheets
- Gathering and organizing work and medical records into a folder or journal
- Yes, you can receive up to 1 year of retroactive benefits on SSDI if SSA decides your disability started before you filed. Keep in mind, this is only after taking into account the 5-month waiting period for benefits.SSI does not make retroactive payments.
- In most cases, if you have used your social security number (SSN) throughout your working life, then SSA should have a record of your work history. If you have not used your SSN, then you would need to prove your work history through tax returns and such.
- To begin documenting your medical history, information you need will include:
- Laboratory and test results
- Medical records in your possession from your doctors, therapists, hospitals, clinics and caseworkers
- Names and dosage of all the medicine you take
- Names, addresses and phone numbers of the healthcare providers, caseworkers, hospitals and clinics where you received care and dates of your visits
- If you qualify for SSDI benefits, you also become entitled to Medicare 2 years later. If you will lose healthcare coverage and cannot wait until then for Medicare coverage, talk to an SSA representative about other types of publicly financed coverage. You can also contact one of our MS Navigators for more information about healthcare options.In many states, SSI provides healthcare coverage through Medicaid. If you're approved for SSI, you may start receiving Medicaid coverage right away.If you are receiving healthcare coverage through your employer, you may lose coverage when you stop working. When you leave employment, some employers offer group COBRA insurance. However, you must pay for it.For more information, visit the Department of Labor website or our personal finances pages.
- Don’t worry: Going back to work does not mean losing your benefits. The SSA has several work incentives that can help you to return to work without losing your benefits. Some of SSA's programs also allow you to return to a disabled status without having to re-file if you are unable to continuing working due to your MS.For more information:
- Call SSA at 1-800-772-1213.
- Contact your local Social Security office.
- Read SSA's Red Book.
Symptom Tracker
- We’ve provided a list of symptoms below. For each symptom, note the date, and rate the severity from 1 to 5, where 1 is mild and 5 is severe. Also note anything unusual about your day.
- Bladder issues (frequency, urgency or hesitancy)
- Bowel issues (constipation or incontinence)
- Emotional issues (anxiety, depression, irritability, mood swings)
- Fatigue (lack of energy)
- Hand function (grabbing, holding, writing, eating or grooming)
- Mobility (difficulty walking or running)
- Pain
- Problems thinking (difficulty remembering, staying focused, problem-solving, recalling words)
- Sensory issues (numbness, tingling, or sensations like burning, bands or electric shocks)
- Spasticity (muscle tightening, leg stiffness, cramping)
- Tremor/loss of coordination (balance problems; shaking of head, arms, or legs; clumsiness)
- Vision (blurred or double vision, light sensitivity)